China’s history distortion attempt expands to prehistory Yoha Civilization

China is pushing to include the Yoha Civilization, which is not irrelevant to Korean history, in its own history.

The Chinese government in 2007 completed including Goguryeo and Balhae histories into the Chinese history, and has since 2003 started a Northeast Asian project to absorb Yoha Civilization into its national history. With China’s local governments actively joining the effort to gain tourism returns, such projects have entered a new phase, worsening history distortion.

The Dong-A Ilbo and Kyunghee University’s Korean Ancient History and Archeology Research Institute confirmed after an field survey in China between August 13 and 18 that the Neimenggu autonomous region’s State Administration of Cultural Heritage has been building a museum to exhibit Hongshan cultures at Aohanchi in Chifeng City. The museum, named “Neimenggu Hongsan Museum,” will spotlight Hongsan cultures as the origin of Chinese civilization.

In April last year, the archeology research institute under the China Academy of Social Sciences built an Aohanchi prehistory archeology base, leading the finding of Hongsan’s cultural heritage. “The Chinese government’s attempt to rule Yoha Civilization as Chinese civilization is a clear history distortion,” said Professor Kang In-wook at Kyunghee University. “Should this continue, then the traces of Yoha Civilization, which influenced Gojoseon, of exchanges with the Korean Peninsula will disappear.”

sukim@donga.com